• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ampeg SVT CL Vs. Mesa 400+

P

plastik-bass[?]

Jun 9, 2007
620
5
Lilburn Georgia USA
#1
I'm looking to get a new head for myself and have pretty much narrowed it down to these 2 I play in a Hard Rock/Alternative/Verging on metal band. I will be running either of them through a Hartke XL 4X10 and an Avatar B410 NEO.

I love a alot of growl and LOVE a real deep bassy sound, but it will also need to be able to cut through 2 distorted guitars and a loud drummer :/

Which ones would you suggest and why?

What are the pros and cons of these amp?

Thanks in advance :bassist::bassist::bassist:
 
#4
K-Funk said:
I agree.... these two amps are polar opposites in nearly every way.
Click to expand...

I dont know how i narrowed it down to these 2 but it happend XD

I'm defiantly looking for something tube(IMO tube works a bit better for the type of music I play not to mention I love to tube sound) and more and something with alot of power to get me passed the guitards. I played the SVT at a GC and it was lovely and the Mesa has gotten plenty of praise around here, but unfortunately I havnt been able to play one(although I would love too) and both of them are pretty powerful heads that should be able to get me through the mix
 
#5
plastik-bass[?];5617857 said:
I dont know how i narrowed it down to these 2 but it happend XD

I'm defiantly looking for something tube(IMO tube works a bit better for the type of music I play not to mention I love to tube sound) and more and something with alot of power to get me passed the guitards. I played the SVT at a GC and it was lovely and the Mesa has gotten plenty of praise around here, but unfortunately I havnt been able to play one(although I would love too) and both of them are pretty powerful heads that should be able to get me through the mix
Click to expand...

The SVT450H is solid state, the SVT CL would be a better comparison for the 400+.
 
#8
Between those two, go with the Mesa. My guess is that it will blow the Ampeg out of the water sideways when push comes to shove.

The SVT450H, from the specs on Ampeg site, is basically the power stage from an SVT-3Pro (which I've owned) with a solid-state preamp. I used to won an SVT-3Pro, and it did not have enough headroom for me.

Don't know about Mesa tube power, but from experience I'd estimate it takes 2-3 Ampeg SS watts to get the same volume output as 1 Mesa SS watt will produce.

Oops, looks like you posted while I was writing my reply. SVT-CL makes more sense to cmpare to Mesa 400+, yes.
 
#11
meatwad said:
Really?
Click to expand...
All that would mean is a 500 watt mesa sounds 3-4 dB louder than a 500 watt ampeg.

I don't trust that at all tho. There are too many things to take into account anyway. The voicing and EQ of an amplifier can greatly alter how loud the amplifier is.

I'd look into the SVT-VR aswell (at least try and compare it to a CL). The 400+ is alright, just not my cup of tea really.
 
#12
I've got an SVT-CL. If you love deep, bassy sound, that's a great choice. For "growl", not so much. You'd be better off with an SVT-II for that, IMO. Don't know much about Mesa, but Justin Chancellor of Tool used to play the 400+, I believe. He definitely cuts through and has growl (although a lot of that is pedals), but I wouldn't call it deep and bassy or warm, which is the SVT-CL
 
#13
i_got_a_mohawk said:
...All that would mean is a 500 watt mesa sounds 3-4 dB louder than a 500 watt ampeg....
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's what I'm trying to say. To my ears, at low volume, in band practice, and live, that is my experience - having owned an SVT-3Pro, and currently, a Mesa BB750.

I can't speak to voicing or anything like that, or how it impacts. I'm talking strictly a "to my ears" comparison.
 
#14
detracti said:
Yeah, that's what I'm trying to say. To my ears, at low volume, in band practice, and live, that is my experience - having owned an SVT-3Pro, and currently, a Mesa BB750.

I can't speak to voicing or anything like that, or how it impacts. I'm talking strictly a "to my ears" comparison.
Click to expand...

The SVT-3 pro is pretty notorious for needing to crank things to get the best volume. i.e. the graphic EQ level slider, not using the "Ultra Low" button etc.
 
#16
I have both.

They both sound good. And loud!

The Mesa is more versatile. You can change the tone more with its graphic eq and its ability to shift freq around on bass, mid and treb.

The Ampeg is more of a one trick pony. But what a pony?!!!!

Again you can't go wrong with either.

If your cabs are 8ohms and you are planning on ever playing thru just one, go for the Mesa as it is the only amp that can go into 2, 4 and 8ohms. The ampeg only plays in 4 or 2 ohms.
 
#17
I used to own the SVT-CL, but am now running the old, 6550-powered Mesa Bass 400 (the 400+'s padre). The 400 is kicking around 250 watts, but it still appears to be louder than the SVT-CL just due to its voicing....... also, both the 400 and 400+ weigh about 45-50 lbs less than the SVT.

As far tone, I really prefer the 400's added versatility and "hi-fi" character. It's got a very modern, clear, and punchy tone for a tube amp, but it still retains warmth and beef.

If you do go with the 400+ (original 400's don't show up that often), make sure you read Psycho Bass Guy's "Dark Side" thread on 400+ mods. These easy changes will really make your Mesa operate with the best tone.

Good luck! My vote is with Mesa all the way!
 
#19
I've owned both at the same time and the SVT-CL was deservedly shown the door after a couple hours of A/B testing. The SVT-CL isn't a bad head, but the Mesa 400+ is in another league IMO. It's far more versatile than the SVT-CL and more focused at louder volumes. Not to say the 400+ can't get growly. If you push the gain hard the overdrive is awesome. IMO opinion it's not even a contest between the two. I had several weeks to compare the two head to head and the SVT-CL was just plain trounced. It does one thing really well. I do like its low-mid character, but it lacks focus in its bottom end and doesn't sing like the Mesa in the high end. All these observations came after tons of research, hands-on experience and plenty of tube swapping. I will agree with most everyone that says the SVT-CL is more plug and play if that's what you're looking for, but its repertoire is so limited that it wasn't an option for me anymore. If I want, I can cop the SVT-CL with some tweaking on the graphic EQ, but frankly I don’t even go there anymore. I don’t even use the graphic EQ, because I can find my tone with relatively little tweaking now. There are plenty of threads on the Mesa’s settings and do yourself a favor and read them before you go out and test one. If you do end up getting one, a thread you cannot go without reading, as K-Funk pointed out, is PBG's "Dark Side" thread minus all of mid thread quarreling. Bottom line is that PBG's mods work. Period.
 
#20
Yeah, using PBG's mods, the Mesa 400/400+ is instantly launched up there with "the best" tube amps out there (despite different tones), such as the vintage SVT's, etc.

Look at it this way: With the properly modded 400+, it can't get any better. But with the SVT-CL, it's third-rate in tone compared to the VR or the vintage SVT's. If you want an SVT for the low-mid-bump, vintage rock tone, go with the SVT-II or the VR (or even a vintage amp if you can score one). With the 400+, if you dig that sound (not to mention the versatility), you can't find a better amp in it's class.

One note though: for some reason, PBG's reccommended mod of using Chinese preamp tubes doesn't seem to work well on the older Bass 400. I think he said it's due to the older amp being voiced for Western-produced tubes or something..... but the 12AU7 driver mod works wonders for both amps. It opens up the EQ, gives you more clean headroom, and just generally makes the amp sound a lot better. Also, it tends to tame the rather prominent upper-mid "honk" a lot of people complain about.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back